Method and apparatus for multiple media digital communication system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is embodied in a digital communication system where multiple media data sources are time multiplexed into a packetized data stream, each packet having an assigned priority and the packetized data stream transmitted in substantially the order of assigned priority. At both the transmit side, and the receive side, audio packets are given priority processing over video packets, which in turn have priority over text/graphics data packets. Continuous real time audio playback is maintained at the receiver by delaying the playback of received audio in a first in/first out (FIFO) buffer providing a delay at least equal to the predicted average packet delay for the communication system. Optionally, the average system delay is continuously monitored, and the audio playback delay time is adjusted accordingly. Audio playback is slowed or accelerated in order to shrink or grow the difference in time between the sender and receiver. In another aspect of the invention, a conference of three or more callers is created by broadcasting a common packetized data stream to all conference callers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of digital communicationssystems, and more particularly to systems transporting multiple media(multimedia) and/or communicating such multimedia through a plurality ofconnections to multiple callers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, multimedia communications, such as videoconferencingsystems for providing two way video and audio, are well known. Givensufficient bandwidth and dedicated independent channels, (e.g. 6 Mhz foran analog video channel, 3 Khz for an audio link over a standard analogtelephone line, etc), videoconferencing between two callers can berealized. However, communication channels providing 6 Mhz videobandwidth are not generally or universally available. A major obstacleto wide spread implementation and acceptance of multiple mediaconferencing systems is the limited bandwidth of the availablecommunication channels. In addition, typical communication channelsavailable on packet switched networks such as AppleTalk, from AppleComputer, California, USA, or Netware from Novell Inc, Oregon, USA, donot provide the continuous real time analog or digital connection of atelephone line or modem. Instead, packet switched networks providenon-real time bursts of data in the form of a switched packet containinga burst of digital data. Thus, in addition to bandwidth limitations,packet switched networks present delay limitations in implementing realtime multiple media conferencing systems. The same bandwidth and timedelay limitations which apply to all time division multiple access(TDMA) communication systems and similar schemes present obstacles toachieving real time multimedia communications.

Typically, the problem of videoconferencing two callers is approached bycompressing the composite video signal so that the resulting transmitteddata rate is compatible with the available communication channel, whilepermitting acceptable video and audio to be received at the other end ofthe communication channel. However, solutions in the past using lossycompression techniques, have been limited to compromising quality inorder to obtain acceptable speed. Recently, non-lossy compressiontechniques have become available. The problem still remains as to how tomatch the bandwidth and timing constraints of available digital formatsto the available communication channels, both present and future.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is embodied in a digital communication systemwhere multiple media data sources are time multiplexed into a packetizeddata stream. At both the transmit side, and the receive side, audiopackets are given priority processing over video packets, which in turnhave priority over text/graphics data packets. Continuous real timeaudio playback is maintained at the receiver by delaying the playback ofreceived audio in a first in/first out (FIFO) buffer providing a delayat least equal to the predicted average packet delay for thecommunication system. Optionally, the average system delay iscontinuously monitored, and the audio and video playback delay time aswell as audio and video qualities are adjusted accordingly. In anotherembodiment of the invention, a conference of three or more callers iscreated by broadcasting a common packetized data stream to allconference callers. Use of the present invention further permits an allsoftware implementation of a multimedia system.

1. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, multipledata sources forming data packets are combined into a prioritized datastream.

The present invention is embodied in a method and apparatus forcombining data from a plurality of media sources into a composite datastream capable of supporting simultaneous transmission includingmultiple video and graphic signals and real time audio. Video, audio andother signals are integrated in a non-standard transmission formatdetermined by a novel streaming algorithm and prioritization schemedesigned to provide the best balance between transmission quality andrealization of real time rendition of each.

For example, each data type packet at the transmitter is assigned apriority between 0 and 10000, with 0 being the highest priority and10000 the lowest. An audio packet is given priority 20, a video packetis given priority 50. Screen data packets and file data transfer packetsare both given priority 180.

Before transmission on the communication channel, packets are placed ina queue according to priority order. As new packets are generated, thequeue is reorganized so that the new packet is placed into its properpriority order.

At the receiver, each task runs according to its assigned priority.Packets with priorities between 0 and 100 are processed first, to theexclusion of packets with priorities 101 through 10000. Audio, being thehighest priority (20), is processed first to the exclusion of all otherpackets. Within the class of packets with priorities between 101 and10000, packets are processed according to relative priority. That is,higher priority tasks do not completely shut out tasks of lowerpriority. The relationship among priorities is that a priority 200 taskruns half as often as a priority 100 task. Conversely, a priority 100task runs twice as often as priority 200 task. Tasks with prioritiesbetween 0 and 100 always run until completion. Thus, video, screen dataand file data, processing tasks are completed after audio processing inaccordance with the relative priority of the packets.

A multi-tasking executive dynamically reassigns task priorities, toefficiently complete all tasks within the available time, whileperforming the highest priority tasks first. At any given time, thereare different tasks all at different priorities, all yielding to eachother. In general, a task yields to a higher priority task, if it is notrunning an uninterruptable sequence. If the current task completes itscycle, its priority is reassigned to a lower priority. If the priorityof two or more tasks is equal, then the multi-tasking executive executeseach task in a round robin fashion, performing a portion of each task,until the completion of all tasks with the same priority.

The assignment of packet priorities, and processing according topriority assures that audio will be given precedent over video, whileaudio and video will be given precedent over both screen data and filetransfer data.

As indicated above, continuous real time audio playback is maintained atthe receiver by delaying the playback of received audio in a firstin/first out (FIFO) buffer having a size at least equal to the predictedaverage packet delay for the communication system. Optionally, the delayof the audio FIFO may be made variable. A variable delay audio FIFObuffer at the receiver allows the system to shrink or grow the timedelay between one machine and the other. The ability to shrink or growthe difference in time between the sender and receiver permits thesystem of the present invention to compensate for indeterminate systemdelays. If the changes are slight, the difference in pitch is notnoticeable. For greater changes, the technique of audio resampling maybe used to increase or decrease the rate of audio playback withoutchanging the pitch of audio content.

Similarly, video playback continuity at the receiver may also beimproved by delaying the playback of received video in a first in/firstout (FIFO) buffer having a size at least equal to the predicted averagepacket delay for the communication system. The delay of the video FIFOmay be made variable, allowing the system to shrink or grow the timedelay between one machine and the other to compensate for indeterminatesystem delays. Again, if the changes are slight, the change in framerate is not noticeable. However, video data does not age as quickly asaudio data. Therefore a smaller video FIFO can be used. Also, a videoimage may have short discontinuities without a perceived loss of thevideo connection. Audio playback, on the other hand, is more sensitiveto discontinuities, and it is more important to maintain continuity atthe receiver. Ideally, when both audio and video are used in amultimedia conference, the delay for audio and video should be equal tomake sure that they are synchronized. In the latter case, the actualsystem delay is calculated by finding the maximum delay of both audioand video packets.

Data from media sources tend to come in bursts. For example, audio datarates rise when speaking, and fall to zero during a silence. In thepresent embodiment, the silence between words provides the presentsystem with an opportunity to catch up by refilling the audio FIFObuffer before it empties. In such manner, the present system compensatesfor the delay inherent in a packet switched, time delay variant,communication channel.

Similarly, video sources including graphic screen data, are generated inbursts. That is, the data rate for video ideally falls to zero whenthere is no motion. The data rate for transmitting screen graphics fallsto zero when are no changes. When the caller changes the screen, (suchas the collaborative work document displayed on the screen), data isgenerated.

Thus, following the priority scheme of the present invention, video isupdated only when no speech data is being processed. However, processingof speech data does not included the playing of sound. Once the soundstarts playing, there is no need to further spend time to process thesound. Sound playing needs no supervision. Therefore, video updatingoccurs while sound is playing. After speech is playing close to realtime (with a delay), video text and graphics are updated in thebackground. Video, text, graphics and data files are updated at lesserpriorities. Except for audio and video data, task priorities arere-assigned to assure that all tasks will be completed, and that ahigher priority task will not completely prevent the lower prioritytasks from being completed.

2. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, multiplesignal packets are broadcast to a plurality of callers to create acommon multimedia conference.

In addition to assigned priorities, data packets having multipledestination addresses are broadcast over a plurality of connections tomultiple callers. Each caller receives the same data packets withassigned priorities, and processes the received packets in a similarmanner. As new data is generated from each caller in the videoconference, new data packets are broadcast to the other callers. Thus,due to the broadcast of data packets representing audio, video andscreen data, all callers are conferenced together, each seeing andhearing each other, while discussing the same screen document.Additional callers can be added to the conference over a plurality ofconnections without adding undue burden, because in a conference, eachcaller needs to generate data only once, which is then transimttedeither simultaneously or sequentially depending on the kind ofconnection, to other callers.

3. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention datareceived on a first communication medium (for example on a broadbandlocal area network, such as ethernet) are re-broadcast on a differentcommunication medium (such as a telephone line) in order to conferencecallers on the different communication media in a common multimediaconference. The present invention thereby provides the option of desktopvideoconferencing on standard computer networks and telephone lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a dialog box indicating connection status as it would appearon the screen of a Macintosh computer used in conjunction with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a dialog box indicating an incoming call as it would appearon the screen of a Macintosh computer used in conjunction with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1C is a dialog box illustrating the connection status message thatwould appear for a call that was not accepted as it would appear on thescreen of a Macintosh computer used in conjunction with the presentinvention.

FIG. 1D is a window containing a moving video image as it would appearon the screen of a Macintosh computer used in conjunction with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a video screen illustrating a video conference between twocallers and sharing a common document.

FIG. 3 is a video screen illustrating a video conference between threecallers and sharing a common document.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of operations forestablishing a connection in a multiple media digital communicationsystem embodying the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of operations forestablishing media types to be used in a conference call in a multiplemedia digital communication system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a packet data format used in conjunctionwith the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a multiple media communication systemtransmitter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a multiple media communication systemreceiver in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a method and apparatus for processing adata packet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of amethod and apparatus for processing data packets in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a method and apparatus for establishing aconnection for specific media between callers used in conjunction withthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of data packetflows with optional acknowledgement handshake packets.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a multiple media digital communicationssystem for sending and receiving multiple media for a first caller inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a multiple media digital communicationssystem for receiving and sending multiple media for a second caller inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a first configuration of the present invention for conductinga standard videoconference call over an ethernet network.

FIG. 15 is an alternate configuration of the present invention forconducting a standard videoconference call with collaborative data overan ethernet network.

FIG. 16 is an alternate configuration of the present invention forleaving a recorded multimedia message of a videoconference call withcollaborative data over an ethernet network.

FIG. 17 is a three caller multimedia conference call in a system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an alternate embodiment of a three caller multimediaconference call in a system using both ethernet and a telephone modem inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

From the viewpoint of the caller, the present multimedia communicationsystem operates as follows:

A caller on a desktop computer initiates a multimedia call by selectinga media type and desired connection with a second party. A dialog box ofthe type shown in FIG. 1A appears on the screen, illustrating theconnection status. Caller 2, who receives the call, views a dialog boxon his screen of the type illustrated in FIG. 1B to announce an arrivingcall. Caller 2 has the option of deciding to either pick up or deny thecall, or to take a message. If the call is denied by caller 2, thencaller 1 views a dialog box 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1C. For purposesof illustration, a video box 16 containing a video of the first caller 1is shown in FIG. 1D. If the caller decides to take a message, caller 2can now control the connection and optionally send an announcementmessage requesting a message.

FIG. 2 illustrates the screen appearance of a typical multimedia callwith a collaborative document. On the screen 20 of caller 1, a video box24 appears in which a moving video showing caller 2 appears. The screenof caller 2 is similar, but contains the image and sound of caller 1. Onboth the screens of callers 1 and 2 can be a collaborative document 22.Caller 1 and caller 2 are connected by moving video and two way audioand can discuss collaborative document. Caller 1 may manipulate thedocument and the changes will appear on the screen of caller 2. In analternate embodiment, caller 2 may manipulate the document as well.

FIG. 3 illustrates the screen 20 appearance of a three party videoconference as it appears to caller 1. Caller 3 appears in a video box 26as well as caller 2 in another video box 26, and the collaborativedocument 22. The other callers 2 and 3 see the other two members oftheir video conference on their screen as well as collaborative document22. The size and position of video boxes 24 and 26 is selectable bycaller 1. A video image 25 of caller 1 may also appear on the screen ofcaller 1 to let caller 1 see what is being transmitted. Reducing thesize of video box 25 reduces the amount of (video) data which must betransmitted by the communication system.

Connection Establishment

The sequence of operation for establishing a connection between caller 1and caller 2 over a communication network is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thenetwork may typically be AppleTalk, ethernet or any other commonlyavailable local area network. Also, a connection can be established overa telephone line or other proprietay digital telephone lines such asISDN.

The terms, “connection stream” and “media stream” used below are furtherdefined in the description of FIGS. 8-11. For present purposes, suchterms may be regarded as routines for handling data packets. Caller 1selects a media type stream 28, and a connection stream 30, suitable forthe communication medium. An initial message termed a helo packet issent to a caller 2 connection stream 32. The connection stream 32provides a dialog box to caller 2 informing that there is an incomingcall from caller 1. Caller 2 can then decide 34 to either accept or denythe call, or alternatively to take a message if caller 2 is not present.The accept, deny and take commands are communicated back to theconnection stream 32 which sends a return message across thecommunication system back to connection stream 30 and caller 1.

In addition to denying or taking the call, caller 2 has the option topick a different media type. That is, for example, if the media typestream 28 of caller 1 is video, and caller 2 does not want to accept avideo call but will accept an audio call, then the return message pickwill indicate that caller 2 is picking audio as the media for anincoming call. At caller 1, connection stream 30 distributes theresponse from caller 2. Specifically, if the call is denied then theconnection attempt is deleted 40. If a different media is picked, then amodification of the media type stream 28 is performed. If take a messagewas selected, then the appropriate file transfer 38 takes place totransmit an announcement file, and a message is requested to be sentback.

FIG. 5 illustrates the communication sequence for selecting the amongthe various media types between caller 1 and caller 2. For media typestream 42, a request is sent through connection stream 44 across thecommunication channel to caller 2 at connection stream 46 which isforwarded to media type stream 48. Caller 2 configures itself to acceptthe media type stream which is being presented to it by modification ofits registration server 50 which clones the desired media type. Ifaccepted, media type stream 48 sends a message through connection stream46 across the communication medium to caller 1. The acceptance isreceived at connection stream 44 and communicated to media type stream42 which opens up the connection for the given media type between caller1 and caller 2.

Data Format in Packets with Priority and Multiple Destinations

FIG. 6 shows a packet data format 52 suitable for use in conjunctionwith the present invention. The length of the packet is indicated bydata field 54. The length of the header is indicated by data field 56.The packet type and identification are respectively indicated by datafields 58 and 60.

The priority of the data packet is indicated in data field 62. Whentransporting multiple media digital data packets, the priority datafield determines which of the packets has the highest priority inprocessing. Data fields 64 and 66 respectively contain information as tothe message state, and a checksum for determining message errors. Thepacket source address is indicated at data field 68, and a destinationcount as to the number of destinations this packet will reach isindicated at data field 70. Also, an active destination count, thenumber of destination which have not yet received this packet, and amaximum destination count is provided in data fields 72 and 74respectively.

The data packet 52 of FIG. 6 contains a number of destination addresses76. The plural destination addresses provides a broadcast capability bywhich all the callers in a conference call can view common documents andsee and hear each other. That is, when a data packet 52 contains audiodata representing one speaker's voice, that packet is broadcast to allthe destinations simultaneously. The same is true of the video anddocument updates. The destination addresses is followed by the actualvariable length data of the data packet in field 78.

System Overviews

A block diagram of a multiple media communication system transmitter isshown in FIG. 7A. A packet with priority 20 is generated 708 from audiodata source 702. A packet with priority 50 is generated 710 from videodata source 704. A packet with priority 180 is generated 712 fromtext/graphics data source 706. A WriteQueue 716 (a buffer memory forstoring packets to be sent) is provided for holding packets to betransmitted over the communication channel 718. Control 714, responsiveto packet generation, 708, 710, 712 places the packets in the WriteQueue716 in order of packet priority. In hardware, a queue maybe a FIFO. Insoftware, WriteQueue 716 is a linked list of packet containers withpointers to the next and previous packet containers. Since theWritequeue 716 is an ordered list, adding a new entry is achieved bymodifying two pointers to add the new entry to the list in the properorder.

A block diagram of a multiple media communication system receiver isshown in FIG. 7B. Two substantially similar receivers, one for caller 2and another for caller 3 are illustrated. Both callers are respectivelyconnected to a broadcast communication channel 720, 746. A ReadQueue722, 724 (a buffer memory for storing packets) receives packets forprocessing. A control means 726, 728 selects packets to be processedbased on the packet priority. A multi-tasking control 730, 738 processesdata-packets in accordance with assigned priorities. As indicated, audiopackets have the highest priority and are processed first. Other packetsare processed in accordance with priority in a multi-tasking environmentwhich balances speed of execution among the different priority packetswhile making sure to complete all tasks. A variety of multi-taskingcontrol techniques for completing multiple tasks simultaneously, givingpriority to higher tasks, while devoting some system resources tocomplete the lowest priority tasks, are known to those skilled in theart.

Audio data playback is delayed in a delay 734, 742, as indicated above.Video data display is similarly delayed in delay 731, 739 to maintainsynchronism between video and audio. The multi-task control 730, 738sets the amount of delay (for both video and audio) in accordance withthe predicted average delay of the communication channel 720, 746.Delayed audio is then displayed 736, 744 at the receiver for caller 2and caller 3. Delayed video is simultaneous displayed 732, 740 at thereceiver for caller 2 and caller 3. Furthermore, since callers 2 and 3are both receiving the same packets broadcast by caller 1, both hear andview the same multimedia messages.

Multimedia communication is typically two way between all callers. Itshould be understood that caller 1, caller 2 and caller 3 all includethe transmitter and receiver elements shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Thisdoes not mean, however, that all callers need to transmit or receivedata. Each caller can choose to (or be required to) receive only ortransmit only.

In operation, at caller 1 in FIG. 7A, successive multimedia data packetswith assigned priority are generated 708, 710, 712 from respectivemultimedia sources 702, 704 and 706. As the packets are generated, eachis placed 714 in priority order in a queue 716 and transmitted over acommunication channel 718. If the channel capacity were unlimited,packets would be transmitted as soon as generated. However, in thenormal case, generated packets may accumulate awaiting transmissionbecause the communication channel capacity is limited. The presentpriority scheme assures that packets are transmitted in priority orderwith the highest priority packets transmitted first.

At the receiver, callers 2 and 3 in FIG. 7B both receive packets fromthe communication channel 720, 746. Received packets at callers 1 and 2,are processed in accordance with the received priority, to play back thereceived audio, video and display of the received text/graphics. Sinceboth callers 2 and 3 receive the same packets, a three partyvideoconference call is created.

Continuity of audio playback is perceived as critical to a multimediaconference. Accordingly, audio packets, being assigned the highestpriority, are sent as soon as possible, and at the receiver, areprocessed as soon as possible after receipt. Thus, audio packets tend tobe delivered in the shortest time which the communication channel willallow.

The system of the present invention tolerates transmission errorsinherent in a traditional packet switched system by discarding orretransmitting corrupted audio or video. For text files, the normalerror detection and retransmission requests are used. Sound and videoare distinguished from text or file data in that it is possible totolerate some loss of sound and video and still maintain an acceptablequality. In the event of a detected error in the received audio or videopacket, the receiver determines whether there is sufficient time to flagthe error and request a retransmission, based on the predicted averagedelay time of the system. If there is not sufficient time, the corruptedpacket is ignored. In such manner, network capacity is not wasted onretransmissions which will arrive too late and have to be discardedanyway. However, the lowest priority packets of text/graphics orcomputer file data which are not time dependent, are flagged for errorsand retransmitted.

Object Oriented CPacketStream Streaming Method

Various types of streams are used to achieve multimedia communications.First, a connection stream provides the interface to the communicationchannel. Then, there is a media stream for each desired media. Forexample, there may be a video stream, an audio stream, a video and audiostream such as QuickTime, or a text/data/graphics stream representingfiles, graphic images of many types, or any other data required. Thearchitecture is designed to support “drop in” streams for new kinds ofcollaborative data.

The block diagram of FIG. 8 illustrates the method and apparatus forsending and receiving data packets, also termed CPackets. Each of theabove methods and tasks is described in detail below, including pseudocode for realizing each of the methods and tasks on a general purposedigital computer. Although the preferred embodiment is described interms of software operating in a Macintosh computer environment, it willbe understood that the present multiple media communication system ofthe present invention may be implemented in hardware, such as indedicated logic, microprogrammed bit slices, programmable arrays and thelike.

CPacketStream 80 is a software component which is responsible forhandling CPackets to establish communication channels between machines.Each CPacketStream 80 is composed of a set of routines (or methods)responsible to interact with CPackets. These methods are used in turn bya set of tasks running in each CPacketStream. The task types and methods(or routines) available for packet handling are summarized as followsand described in more detail below. TASKS: WriteTask (prioritizedmulti-tasking of received CPackets) ReadTask (connection streamdistributes received CPackets) IdleTask (send final packet and initialpacket) OpenTask (open connection stream)

METHODS DoQueue (puts a Cpacket in the WriteQueue) DoWrite (generatesactual output from packet data) DoIdle (idle between packets) Write(lookups destination and calls DoQueue) WriteDone (acknowledges receiptof packet) WriteQueue (A buffer containing CPackets in priority order)ReadQueue (A buffer containing CPackets in received order)CPacketStream::WriteTask 94

The WriteTask 94 is responsible for distributing packets contained inthe WriteQueue 96 in each CPacketStream 80. The priority of this task isat least as high as the packet it is currently handling. This task is ina loop currently scanning the WriteQueue 96, if the queue is empty thenthe task will sleep. The CPacketStream::DoQueue method will put aCPacket into the WriteQueue 96, and wake the WriteTask 94 up. Therefore,the WriteTask 94 will be the one displaying or playing the packets.CPacketStream::WriteTask if a packet in WriteQueue call DoWrite for thatpacket to handle data end endCPacketStream::ReadTask 82

The ReadTask 84 is responsible for reading CPackets from a particularchannel, and redistributing among CPacketStreams 80 in that machine.This type of task is only appropriate for a connection (media)CPacketStream 80. (In a way it is similar to the WriteTask 94, serving aWriteQueue 96, but in the reverse direction, and corresponding toreceiving data packets in a ReadQueue) CPacketStream::ReadTask if a newpacket read write a new packet end endCPacketStream::IdleTask 82

The idle task 82 is responsible for generating and sending ‘helo’ (theinitial packet) and ‘kiss’ (the final packet) CPackets. It is alsoresponsible to execute idle time events in some particular streams. Forexample, a Communications Tool (from Apple Computer) needs to have anidle call every so often in order to handle a particular connection.CPacketStream::IdleTask if initial packet not sent if initial packet notcreated create initial packet end sent initial packet end idle stream ifnecessary if stream should die if final packet not created create finalpacket end send final packet end if final packet sent and stream shoulddie disable and delete the streams end end

An OpenTask 88 is used when the connection is being first opened and theconnection negotiated between callers. At that time, the contents of thetable lookup 98, which defines media types and connection streams isdetermined. In addition to these tasks, there are several methods thatare called by these tasks in order to communicate with the stream. Thesemethods are:

CPacketStream::DoQueue 86

This is the method that is called in order to give a packet to aparticular stream. Most streams will immediately write the packet to aWriteQueue 96, and activate the WriteTask 94 in order to handle thatparticular packet. CPacketStream::DoQueue 86 put packet into the writequeue wakeup WriteTask endCPacketStream::DoWrite 92

The WriteTask 94 will call this routine to actually handle the packet'scontent. For a connection stream, this is the output routine of aCPacketStream 80 to the communication channel. For a video stream, thisroutine will decompress and display the video contained in a packet. Forother media streams, the DoWrite 92 routine will carry out theappropriate process to get the data displayed, played or otherwise.CPacketStream::DoWrite handle the packet's data endCPacketStream::DoIdle

This is the routine which can be used to idle the CPacketStream 80. Manystreams can use this to do periodic tasks. CPacketStream::DoIdle performperiodic task endCPacketStream::Write 90

This routine will look up in table 98 the destination address for eachdestination in the packet, and the call DoQueue 86 for each destinationpacket stream. Each DoQueue 86 can refuse the packet until a later time,and therefore the packet contains flags for each destination addresssuch that a complete write will mark that address completely written. Apacket therefore contains an active destination count (72 in FIG. 6).CPacketStream::Write for all destination addresses in packet lookupdestination stream in address table if alias entry and ‘info’ packet addwriteAsRemoteInfo flag end if found call DoQueue method for destinationstream if successful mark destination address write complete end elsemark destination address write deleted end end end

Data packet flow and handling through CPacketStream 80 is from calls toDoQueue 86 which will write a CPacket into the WriteQueue 96, and thenactivate WriteTask 94, which processes the Cpackets, and calls DoWrite92 to distribute the Cpackets contained in the WriteQueue 96.

CPacketStream::WriteDone

This routine will be called to dispose of the packet generated by acertain stream. It can be used for synchronization. A connection streamhas the option of calling WriteDone to transfer acknowledge packets onthe outgoing connection. The CPacketStream owns the packet which itsends, until all other streams are done with the packet. At that time,the packet ready to be deleted. However, when a packet (e.g., video) issent from one machine on to another machine, such as between an ethernetLAN (local area network) and a telephone modem, the packet (e.g., thevideo) is not actually being used. In such circumstances, theoriginating connection stream should hold the packet, until all otherconnections have used this packet on the other machine(s).Synchronization of packet receipt is accomplished by returning anacknowledge packet when the WriteDone function of the connection streamis called at each machine which receives the packet. This is anadditional form of communications between machines to reinforce thenormal packet communications. “Acknowledge” packets have the samepriority as the information packets, the lowest packet priority.

Streaming Algorithm

A generalized representation of the use of the present streamingalgorithm is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 9. Two CPacketStreams,CPacketStream A, 801 and CPacketStream B, 802 are shown. By way ofexample, if CPacketStream A was a connection stream, then CPacketStreamB would be a media stream, such as a video stream. On the other hand ifCPacketStream A was a video stream, such as from a frame grabber, thenCPacketStream B would be a connection stream. In general, there is onestream for each type of media, plus one stream for each connection. Thatis, a separate connection stream is used for each caller. Thus, for atwo way conference with one other caller, there is one connectionstream, while for a three way conference there are two connectionstreams, one for each of the other two callers. In an alternateembodiment, such as may be used with future higher speed communicationsystems, a single connection stream may be used with more than onecaller.

FIG. 9 also shows a lookup table 818 which is filled in when each streamis established for keeping track of the destination of the variouspackets. In operation, a packet is generated 804 and the Write function806 is called. The pseudo code 816 for the Write function 806 contains areference to a lookup to table 818, which returns an address toCPacketStream B, 802. CPacketStream B, 802 calls DoQueue 812, whichwrites the CPacket to WriteQueue 810. WriteTask 814 is activated toprocess the CPacket, which calls DoWrite 808 to generate the outputroutine of a CPacketStream 80 to the communication channel, or otherappropriate media output.

FIG. 10 illustrates the use of lookup tables to generate destinationaddresses from connection information between two given callers. By wayof example, assume that CPacketStream A, 904 is a video stream connectedto frame grabber 902 and image decompressor 912 at machine 1. A machine2, CPacketStream D, 910 is also a video stream connected to a framegrabber 920 and image decompressor 918 at machine 2. Then, CPacketStreamB, 906 is a connection stream coupled to a communication channelinterface 914, such as for example a transmission source for anAppleTalk Data Streaming Protocol (ADSP) device. CPacketStream C, 908 isa connection stream coupled to a communication channel interface 916,shown as the receiving side of an AppleTalk Data Streaming Protocoldevice. Machine 1 uses table 922 to lookup the destination streamaddress 2,D for packets generated using data from video grabber 902.Similarly, machine 2 uses lookup table 925 to lookup the destinationstream address 1,A for packets generated using data from video grabber920.

Packet Acknowledgement

A block diagram illustrating the use of an optional acknowledgementpacket is shown in FIG. 11. A media stream 928, responsive to a videopacket 936, calls the Write function, which through the appropriatelookup table, calls the DoQueue and DoWrite functions of connectionstream 930, an ethernet connection stream. The video packet istransmitted on the ethernet communication channel 938 and received bythe ReadTask and Write functions of connection stream 932. Thereafter,the DoQueue and DoWrite functions of media stream 934 are called throughthe appropriate lookup table which displays the data on video display940.

The communication channel LAN protocol typically supports lower levelacknowledgment functions. For example, it is known by the transmittingcaller that the packet was received over the clear communication channel938. Otherwise, the LAN protocol (at the ADSP level for example) wouldhave returned an error indication. In addition to the acknowledge at theLAN protocol level, an acknowledge packet is generated when the receiveddata is played (i.e., when the video data is displayed) in order toprovide end to end synchronization information. The WriteDone functionof connection stream 932 generates such acknowledge packet for returntransmission across communication channel 938. Back at the originatingtransmitting caller, the ReadTask function of connection stream 930,calls WriteDone routine of media stream 928 to process the acknowledgepacket. The receipt of an acknowledge packet also provides an indicationof system delay for the media type of media stream 928, in this example,a video packet. The acknowledge packet contains a recorded timeindicating when the video packet was actually used. Comparison of therecorded transmission time with the received recorded display time,provides a measure of the end to end system delay.

Prioritized Data Packet Processing

A system block diagram is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 showsthe transmission elements in solid lines and the receive elements indotted lines. FIG. 13 shows the receive elements in solid lines and thetransmit elements in doted lines.

In FIG. 12, and audio data source 110 and video data source 112 arecoupled through audio/video stream 114 and connection stream 116 to datacommunication channel 118. In FIG. 13, data communication channel 118 iscoupled to connection stream 216, and then to audio/video stream 214.Audio is played by sound manager 220, which includes a FIFO delay buffer228. Video is played back by video decompressor 224 coupled to videodisplay device 226.

For the return direction, FIG. 13 also shows audio data source 210 andvideo data source 212, coupled to the communication channel 218 throughaudio/video stream 214 and connection stream 216. At the transmissionside in FIG. 12, audio is played by sound manager 120, which includes aFIFO delay buffer 128. Video is played back by video decompressor 124coupled to video display device 126.

In operation in FIG. 12, data generated by audio source 110 and videodata source 112 are placed into packets in audio/video stream 114, andforwarded to connection stream 116. The connection stream arranges theavailable packets in priority order before transmission on the networkcommunication channel 118. Once transmission of a packet has begun,however, it is typically not interruptable. For example, if a videopacket represents a video frame update, and the video packettransmission has started, no audio packet can be sent until the currentpacket is completed. If it is desired to improve audio transfer, thevideo frame update may be divided into smaller sub-frame packets. Then,an audio packet will be inserted during transmission of a complete videoframe update, i.e., by insertion between sub-frame packets forming thevideo frame update.

In FIG. 13, data packets received by connection stream 216 aredistributed to the audio/video stream 214. Audio data packets, having ahigher priority represent a higher priority task. Thus, the soundmanager 222 is given priority over the video decompressor 224. Asindicated above, delay buffer 228 is set equal to the predicted averagepacket transmission delay of the communication system. Alternatively,the delay provided by delay buffer 228 is dynamically adjustableaccording to system delay as measured by time reported by return messagepackets or acknowledge packets. Audio playback is slowed or acceleratedin order to shrink or grow the difference in time between the sender andreceiver.

Additional media types, such as file text or screen documents may beadded to the block diagrams of FIGS. 12 and 13 as additional inputs tothe Write function of stream 114 in FIG. 12 and additional outputs ofstream 214 in FIG. 13. In sharing collaborative documents, one member ofthe conference may be running the application such as a word processoror spreadsheet, and the others viewing a screen only. Alternatively, onemember of the conference may be running the application, but thekeystrokes of the others are transmitted back to the one member as textdata. In such manner, conference members may each have direct input intothe collaborative application.

As indicated, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is insoftware running on a Macintosh computer. A software embodiment has theadvantage of being hardware independent, capable of working with anyavailable media source, and across any available communication system.In addition, CPacketStream tasks and methods are shared by variousconnection streams and media streams. It is noteworthy that the presentsystem achieves multimedia conferencing in a uniprocessor architecture.

Alternative embodiments of the present multimedia communication systeminclude multi-processor architectures where the multi-tasking ofreceived multimedia data packets may be replaced by parallel processing,or in special purpose hardware. In dedicated hardware, eachCPacketStream could be a special purpose microprogrammed integratedcircuit, where one chip would be required for each media type, and foreach connection.

FIGS. 14 through 18 illustrate the various capabilities of the presentsystem of multiple media digital communication. FIG. 14 illustrates astandard video call of the type shown in FIG. 2 over an ethernet networkof the type illustrated. FIG. 15 illustrates a video call withcollaborative data over an ethernet network of the type illustrated onthe screen in FIG. 3. This configuration is contemplated as the mostcommon type of multimedia call.

FIG. 16 illustrates a one way video/audio call with collaborative dataover an ethernet network. The data is one way because first party didnot answer, but that party was configured to accept messages. Thereceived data is recorded in memory or on disk and played back later,thus creating a multimedia message answering machine. In the messagerecord mode, system delays are not limiting because the message does nothave to be recorded in real time; the only requirement is to play itback in real time. The message is recorded on one machine, and sent as acomplete message file to the other machine, and there stored on thedrive.

A three way videoconference call is illustrated in FIG. 17. Caller 1,caller 2 and caller 3 are connected over an ethernet communicationsystem. Each caller broadcasts multimedia digital packets to the othertwo callers. The connection may be expanded to more than three callers.Each caller will see a video image of all the other conferences on theirscreen in separate windows, as well as hear the conversation and viewcollaborative data.

An alternate embodiment for a three way videoconference call isillustrated in FIG. 19. Two callers (1 and 3) are on ethernet. Anothercaller, 2 is connected by modem. Caller 3 links caller 1 to caller 2. Tolink callers 1 and 2, caller 3 rebroadcasts received data packets fromcaller 1 over ethernet, to caller 3 over modem, and vice versa.

1.-70. (canceled)
 71. An apparatus for communicating with remoteprocessing machines over a network comprising a packet switched network,the apparatus comprising: at least one connection routine operative tonegotiate with at least one of the remote processing machines a mediatype selection from a plurality of media types including audio, videoand data, and to configure at least one media routine to process mediapackets received from and to be transmitted to said at least one of theremote processing machines in a bi-directional communication over saidnetwork; and wherein the apparatus is configurable to receive one-waymultimedia messages from at least one remote processing machine.
 72. Theapparatus of claim 71, wherein at least one of said remote processingmachines comprises a telephony device.
 73. The apparatus of claim 72,wherein said at least one telephony device is coupled to said apparatusdirectly or indirectly via a circuit-switched network.
 74. The apparatusof claim 71, wherein said apparatus is further adapted to assign apriority to each of said media packets, said media packets beingtransmitted from said apparatus in substantially said order of saidassigned priorities.
 75. The apparatus machine of claim 74, wherein saidapparatus further comprises a queue for holding said plurality ofpackets respectively corresponding to each of said plurality of mediaprior to transmission, and said transmission of said plurality of mediapackets in substantially said order of said assigned priority furthercomprises: placing successive ones of said plurality of media packets insaid queue in order of said assigned priority; and transmitting thefirst packet of said queue.
 76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein saidmedia packets include video packets and audio packets.
 77. The apparatusof claim 71, wherein said media packets include video packets, audiopackets, and collaborative data packets.
 78. The apparatus of claim 77,wherein said video packets are assigned a lower priority than said audiopackets.
 79. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein said collaborative datapackets are assigned a lower priority than said video packets.
 80. Theapparatus of claim 71, wherein said one-way multimedia message comprisesan audio/video call.
 81. The apparatus of claim 71, further adapted toreceive control signals comprising one or more messages sent from saidat least one connection routine to respective connection routines of theremote processing machines.
 82. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein saidmedia type selection involves user interaction.
 83. A method ofoperating an apparatus adapted to communicate with remote processingmachines over a network comprising a packet switched network, the methodcomprising: providing at least one connection routine operative to runon said apparatus; using at least said at least one routine, negotiatingwith at least one of the remote processing machines a media typeselection from a plurality of media types including audio, video anddata, and configuring said at least one media routine to process mediapackets received from and to be transmitted to said at least one of theremote processing machines in a bi-directional communication over saidnetwork; and configuring the apparatus to receive one-way multimediamessages from at least one remote processing machine.
 84. The method ofclaim 83, wherein at least one of said remote processing machinescomprises a telephony device.
 85. The method of claim 84, wherein saidat least one telephony device is coupled to said apparatus directly orindirectly via a circuit-switched network.
 86. The apparatus of claim83, wherein said method further comprises assigning a priority to eachof said media packets; and transmitting said media packets from saidapparatus in substantially said order of said assigned priorities. 87.The method of claim 83, wherein further comprising queuing saidplurality of packets respectively corresponding to each of saidplurality of media prior to transmission, and transmitting saidplurality of media packets in substantially said order of said assignedpriority by: placing successive ones of said plurality of media packetsin a queue in order of said assigned priority; and transmitting thefirst packet of said queue.
 88. The method of claim 83, wherein saidmedia packets include video packets and audio packets.
 89. The method ofclaim 83, wherein said media packets include video packets, audiopackets, and collaborative data packets.
 90. The method of claim 89,wherein said video packets are assigned a lower priority than said audiopackets.
 91. The method of claim 89, wherein said collaborative datapackets are assigned a lower priority than said video packets.
 92. Themethod of claim 83, wherein said configuring to receive one-waymultimedia messages comprises configuring to receive at least oneaudio/video call.
 93. The method of claim 83, further comprisingreceiving control signals comprising one or more messages sent from saidat least one connection routine to respective connection routines of theremote processing machines.
 94. The method of claim 83, wherein saidmedia type selection involves user interaction.
 95. An apparatus forcommunicating with a remote processing machine over a packet switchednetwork, said apparatus comprising: a processor; and at least oneconnection routine operative to run on said processor and to negotiate:a media type selection for communication of a multimedia call with theremote processing machine; denial of the multimedia call with the remoteprocessing machine; and receipt of a multimedia message file from theremote processing machine.
 96. An apparatus for communicating with aremote processing machine over a network comprising at least a packetswitched network, the apparatus comprising: a processor; and at leastone connection routine operative to run on said processor and accept ordeny a communication attempt from the remote processing machine; whereinan acceptance of the communication attempt comprises a negotiation of amedia type selection using a media type selection protocol that supportsthe description of media types including audio, video and data; andwherein the apparatus is configurable to negotiate the receipt of aone-way multimedia message.
 97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein themultimedia message is a pre-recorded message file.
 98. The apparatus ofclaim 96, wherein receipt of the multimedia message occurs not inreal-time.
 99. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the multimedia messagecomprises audio and video.
 100. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein themultimedia message comprises audio and text data.
 101. The apparatus ofclaim 96, wherein the multimedia message comprises audio and graphicsdata.
 102. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the multimedia messagecomprises video and text data.
 103. The apparatus of claim 96, whereinthe multimedia message comprises video and graphics data.
 104. Theapparatus of claim 96, wherein the apparatus is configurable tonegotiate the receipt of multimedia data for temporary storage andplayback of a multimedia message.
 105. The apparatus of claim 96,wherein the multimedia message is delivered as a multimedia message fileand is stored in a memory in the apparatus.
 106. The apparatus of claim96, wherein the multimedia message may be played back by the apparatus.107. Integrated circuit apparatus adapted to communicate with a remoteprocessing machine via a network apparatus, said integrated circuitadapted for direct or indirect data communication with said networkapparatus, comprising: a digital processor; and a routine running onsaid processor adapted to negotiate with the remote processing machinevia the network apparatus a selection of at least one media type using amedia type selection protocol that supports the description of aplurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to causesaid network apparatus to be configured, according to said selection, toprocess media data packets received from and to be transmitted to saidremote processing machine over a packet switched or circuit switchednetwork using one or more communication channels, said one or morechannels in communication with a single connection stream that includespackets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at leastone media type.
 108. The integrated circuit apparatus as claimed inclaim 107, wherein said media packets include video packets, audiopackets, and collaborative data packets.
 109. The apparatus as claimedin claim 107, wherein said media type selection is performed by either auser or by a routine running on said remote processing machine.
 110. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 107, wherein said one or morecommunication channels providing indeterminate system delays andbandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss, andsaid routine is configured to operate in an indeterminate packet lossenvironment.
 111. An integrated circuit for use in a telephonic device,the telephonic device being adapted for signal communication withnetwork apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remoteprocessing machine and the telephonic device, comprising: a processor;and a routine running on said processor for negotiating, with at leastone of the remote processing machine and the network apparatus, aselection of at least one media type from a plurality of media typesincluding audio, video and data, said routine configured to cause thenetwork apparatus to process media data packets received from and to betransmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switchednetwork; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiationcomprises a message format that supports the description of the audio,video and data media types, and wherein the integrated circuit isconfigured to be placed into signal communication with said networkapparatus via a non-packet switched network.
 112. A telephonic deviceadapted for signal communication with network apparatus, said networkapparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processingmachine and the telephonic device, comprising: an integrated circuitcomprising: a processor; and a routine running on said processor fornegotiating, with at least one of the remote processing machine and thenetwork apparatus, a selection of at least one media type from aplurality of media types including audio, video and data, said routineconfigured to cause the network apparatus to process media data packetsreceived from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machineover a packet switched network; wherein said selection is of only audio,and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports thedescription of the audio, video and data media types, and wherein thetelephonic is configured to be placed into signal communication withsaid network apparatus via a non-packet switched network. 113.Computerized apparatus adapted to communicate with a remote processingmachine via a network apparatus, said computerized apparatus beingadapted for direct or indirect data communication with said networkapparatus, comprising: an integrated circuit comprising: a digitalprocessor; and a routine running on said processor adapted to negotiatewith the remote processing machine via the network apparatus a selectionof at least one media type using a media type selection protocol thatsupports the description of a plurality of media types including audio,video and data, and to cause said network apparatus to be configured,according to said selection, to process media data packets received fromand to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packetswitched or circuit switched network using one or more communicationchannels, said one or more channels in communication with a singleconnection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream setup for each of said at least one media type.